Fender CC-140SCE 0970253321 Acoustic Guitar: Full Review

The Fender CC-140SCE is an auditorium-style acoustic-electric guitar model produced by Fender, one of the most iconic brands in the guitar world. Fender has a long history of crafting high quality guitars, dating back to the 1950s when the company started building solid-body electric guitars like the Telecaster and Stratocaster.

While Fender may be better known for its electric guitar models, the company also produces acoustic and acoustic-electric guitars. The CC-140SCE is one of Fender's more affordable acoustic-electric options, designed to provide reliable performance and versatility for beginner to intermediate players.

This concert-style model features a classic Fender headstock and slimmer body depth compared to a traditional dreadnought acoustic. The CC-140SCE aims to deliver balanced tone across the tonal spectrum, making it suitable for varied musical styles. Equipped with an onboard preamp and tuner, it gives players plugged-in amplification options as well.

Overall, the CC-140SCE brings Fender's renowned guitar craftsmanship to the acoustic realm. It offers accessible Fender tone and playability, packed into a slim, stage-ready acoustic-electric. This review will take a closer look at the CC-140SCE's build quality, sound, and key features to see how it performs for the price.

Appearance

The Fender CC-140SCE acoustic guitar has the classic dreadnought body shape that Fender is known for, with its recognizable sloping shoulders and wide waist. This gives it a full and rounded tone, with plenty of bass and projection.

The guitar comes in a variety of attractive finish options. The back and sides are available in mahogany stain or sunburst, while the top has a solid spruce finish. This gives it an elegant two-tone look. The top has some light binding and white/black purfling around the edges for a touch of decorative flair.

The gloss finish is smooth and lustrous, showing off the wood's natural grain. Overall the appearance is classy and refined, as expected for a premium Fender acoustic guitar. The neat black pickguard and vintage-style Fender headstock logo add to its visual appeal. Those looking for a guitar that looks as good as it sounds will appreciate the CC-140SCE's quality fit and finish.

While the Fender CC-140SCE has an elegant and refined appearance, some guitarists may prefer the look of other high-end acoustic guitars, like the Cordoba C3M GUCLCOR-02679. This concert-shaped guitar has an eye-catching floral inlay design around the soundhole and along the ebony fretboard. The inlays are made from mother of pearl and abalone, giving the Cordoba C3M a very ornate appearance compared to the more understated Fender.

The Cordoba C3M comes in a natural high-gloss finish that allows the intricate details of the rosewood back and sides to shine through. The spruce top is also glossy but left unbound, creating a seamless transition between the top and back wood. The rosette around the soundhole features more of the floral inlay motif. Overall, the Cordoba C3M has a very decorative look inspired by Spanish guitar designs, contrasting with the Fender's more straightforward classic Americana aesthetics.

Which appearance guitarists prefer will come down to personal taste. The Fender goes for a timeless, refined look focusing on the beauty of the wood grains. The intricate inlays and glossy woods of the Cordoba have a more ornate, eye-catching flair. Those wanting a guitar that makes a visual statement may gravitate towards the distinctive aesthetics of the Cordoba C3M. But the Fender also has an attractive, high-quality appearance that appeals to many players.

When shopping for an acoustic guitar, it's worth considering the appearance along with the sound and playability. While the Fender and Cordoba are both excellent instruments, their different looks will appeal to different sensibilities. Trying them out in person can help guitarists decide which visual style they connect with the most.

Body & Neck

Fender's CC-140SCE features a classic dreadnought body shape with a solid spruce top and mahogany back and sides. This tonewood combination produces a balanced, well-rounded tone that's nicely responsive and articulates both trebles and low end.

The neck has a comfortable slim "C"-shaped profile that makes it easy to perform both chords and single-note runs. It's topped with a walnut fingerboard and 20 medium-jumbo frets, providing a smooth feel during faster lead playing. The 25.3" scale length and 1.69" nut width give this guitar a familiar feel for most players.

Overall, the CC-140SCE has a traditional acoustic guitar body and neck design focused on versatile tone and playability. The spruce and mahogany body offers dynamic sound, while the slim C-shaped neck provides comfort and smooth playability. The Ibanez AEWC32FM AE is another great option for players looking for a comfortable and playable acoustic-electric guitar. With its Grand Concert body shape and mahogany back and sides, the AEWC32FM produces a balanced acoustic tone perfect for various styles. The slim mahogany neck with walnut fingerboard provides smooth playability up and down the neck. So whether you prefer the traditional dreadnought shape of the Fender or the Grand Concert design of the Ibanez, both of these acoustic-electrics deliver on versatile acoustic tone and comfortable feel. When choosing between the two, consider the body style you find most comfortable and which tonewood combination best fits your tonal preferences.

Electronics

The CC-140SCE features Fishman Presys electronics with an undersaddle pickup and preamp system, which helps produce a balanced and natural amplified tone.

The undersaddle pickup utilizes piezo crystals to accurately capture the guitar's organic sound. This design allows each string to have its own dedicated transducer, providing even sensitivity across all six strings.

The preamp is housed in a control panel located just inside the soundhole, keeping it convenient yet discreet. It contains volume and tone controls, allowing the player to shape their amplified sound. The volume knob controls the overall output level, while the 3-band EQ provides boost/cut of bass, midrange, and treble frequencies. This level of tonal control allows the guitarist to dial in everything from a bright, crisp sound for solos to a robust, warm tone for accompaniment.

In addition to the volume and tone knobs, the preamp includes a built-in tuner, which is easily accessible without any cables or pedals needed. The tuner activates with the push of a button, muting the output so you can discretely tune on stage. Overall, the Fishman Presys system provides flexibility and quality amplification when playing live or recording.

Sound & Tone

The Fender CC-140SCE produces a bright, balanced tone with nice bass response thanks to its solid spruce top and mahogany back and sides. The spruce top provides crisp highs and articulation while the mahogany body adds midrange punch and low end warmth.

This guitar has impressive sustain and resonance. Notes really ring out clearly. The tone remains balanced across the frequency spectrum and doesn't get too boomy on the low end. Strummed rhythm parts have nice chime and definition.

The sound projects well whether you're playing acoustically or plugged in. The guitar has decent volume to hold its own in jam sessions or small gigs. The tone stays consistent when playing harder and doesn't break up or get harsh.

Overall, the CC-140SCE delivers a versatile, lively acoustic guitar tone suitable for various styles of music. The blend of spruce and mahogany provides a pleasing balance of brightness and warmth. Players looking for an affordable guitar with classic Fender sound will appreciate the tones of this instrument.

Playability

The Fender CC-140SCE acoustic guitar features a comfort-contoured neck shape that is easy to play. The 25.3" scale mahogany neck has a rosewood fretboard with 20 frets. The fretboard width at the nut is 1.69" which provides comfortable room for finger positions and chord shapes.

The action on the CC-140SCE is set medium-low from the factory, making it very playable right out of the box. You can press the strings easily without a lot of pressure needed. The action is adjustable at the bridge saddle if desired, but the factory setup allows comfortable playability for both rhythm and lead playing.

The CC-140SCE has a smooth rosewood fretboard that lets you slide up and down the neck smoothly. The fret ends are finished nicely as well so there are no sharp edges to fret against. Overall the playability right out of the box is excellent, with a fast, comfortable neck that lends itself well to varied playing styles.

Hardware

The Fender CC-140SCE comes equipped with quality hardware to provide smooth playability.

The guitar has sealed chrome tuning machines that do a great job of holding the strings in tune. The tuners are smooth and accurate, making it easy to get the guitar in proper tune. Many guitars in this price range will have cheaper open-gear tuners, so the sealed tuners are a nice upgrade.

The bridge is also noteworthy, with a quality rosewood material and compensated saddle design that helps with intonation across the strings. The bridge transfers vibrations efficiently for balanced tone across the guitar. There is also a truss rod inside the guitar that allows for neck relief adjustments.

Overall, the hardware components on the CC-140SCE are robust and allow for great tuning stability and playability. The choice of sealed tuners and solid bridge demonstrate the attention Fender put into the hardware design.

Pros

The Fender CC-140SCE acoustic-electric guitar has several excellent features that make it a great choice for players looking for a quality instrument at an affordable price point. Here are the top 3 pros of this model:

Great Sound

The CC-140SCE produces a balanced, warm tone that works well for various music genres. The spruce top contributes to the guitar's bright, sparkly high notes while the mahogany back and sides boost the midrange and bass. The result is a full, well-rounded sound.

User-Friendly Electronics

The onboard Fishman electronics include an undersaddle transducer pickup and simple volume and tone controls. This streamlined system provides natural acoustic amplification without adding excessive controls or complications. The preamp also features a phase switch to prevent unwanted feedback.

Playability

From its comfortable body shape to its smooth satin-finished neck, the CC-140SCE offers excellent playability right out of the box. The slim neck profile and low action facilitate easy fretting while the rosewood fingerboard and bridge feel smooth against the hands. The guitar stays in tune well even during enthusiastic playing.

Cons

Unfortunately, the Fender CC-140SCE does have a few drawbacks that are worth considering before purchasing.

Lack of Cutaway

The most notable con is the lack of a cutaway. This can make it harder to access the higher frets, which may be frustrating for more advanced players. The rounded lower bout also restricts upper fret access.

Heavy

While the all-mahogany body produces great sound, it also makes this a relatively heavy acoustic. At over 10 pounds, it may not be ideal for younger players or for extended standing sessions. The weight could contribute to fatigue over longer practices or gigs.

Electronics Could Be Better

The onboard preamp and tuner perform decently, but don't offer the same studio-quality tones as higher-end electronics. The EQ controls are also quite basic. Serious acoustic players may want to upgrade the electronics down the line.

Conclusion

The Fender CC-140SCE is an excellent choice for someone looking for a quality acoustic-electric guitar in this price range. It looks beautiful with its solid spruce top and mahogany back and sides. The mahogany neck is comfortable and easy to play, while the cutaway provides good upper fret access.

The Fishman Isys III pickup system produces a very natural acoustic tone when plugged in. It's easy to dial in a great amplified sound with the onboard tuner and EQ controls. The strings have a bright, resonant tone that projects well when played acoustically.

Overall, the CC-140SCE punches above its weight class in terms of looks, playability, and amplified tone. Some comparable models worth considering are the Yamaha FGX800C and the Epiphone AJ-220SCE. However, the Fender offers better electronics and hardware for the price. For an affordable, great-sounding electro-acoustic, the CC-140SCE is tough to beat.